Upholstery structure



Oct. 24, 1944. H. A. BACKUS UPHOLSTERY STRUCTURE Filed Nov; 5, 1942 II b I I I 4a Eh vem %@W HARRY 4. 5 CHI/J M; M m n m Patented Oct. 24, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UPHOLSTERY STRUCTURE Harry A. Backus, Fernbank, Ohio Application November 5, 1942, Serial No. 464,592

8 Claims.

This invention relates to upholstery structures and is directed to a particular combination of parts which provides improved structural and functional features for said structures.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel upholstery structure having a plurality of spaced helical springs extending between two frame members thereby providing a resilient base for the cotton decking or the like of upholstered chairs, mattresses or othersimilar furniture.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved upholstery structure for use in connection with a coiled spring mounted between two rigid frame members for the resilient support of a conventional cotton decking.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new upholstery structure of novel parts and a means of fastening said parts which facilitate the manufacture and assembly of these'structures and result in greater comfort to the occupant thereof. i i i A further object of the invention is to provide a deeply resilient base for the conventianal cotton decking in upholstery devices by the provision of a number of coiled springs which are held in arched positions between two frame members by mountings secured to the ends of the springs and fastened in the frame members at an angle which creates the desired pitch of the arch in the springs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel means of transversely uniting the springs of my invention to create improved stability of said springs in their frames and also provide a more individual and independent operation of each portion of the coiled springs to which it is united.

Other objectswill be apparent from the following specification and drawing which illustrate a preferred form of my invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmental, perspective view of an upholstered chair illustrating one of th'emany uses of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detailed view in enlarged cross-section, illustrating the spring mounting means of my invention.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the spring anchoring means for the webbing cord of the upholstery structure.

Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively a side elevational view and a top plan view of a webbing anchor.

The upholstery structure of my invention may be used for making chairs, mattresses, and other upholstered pieces of furniture, and is illustrated in Fig. 1 as applied to an upholstered lounge chair which has a back 6, arms I, a seat 8, and

to thereby determine which the mounted spring is to be set. The plug tute for the above process which softens the wood so that in an inclined hole is suitable supporting legs 9. The back is constructed of two parallel frame members l0 and l l which are rigidly held in position by means of an upper transverse end member I2 and a lower transverse end member I20.

A plurality of helically coiled springs |3are mounted between the frame members It) and H in parallel, spaced relationship. As most clearly shown in Fig. 2, the normal length of these springsgs greater than the transverse, rectilinear distance between the frame members so that when said springs are members, they are held in resilient, arched positions.

The springs are made of a continuous coil of the material, and as most clearly indicated in Fig. 3, the coils may have a laminated structure. For this purpose, a number of strips of wood M are provided along their adjacent surfaces with a resinous fixative and then fed to a cylindrical form in laminated relationship. The strips are so fedto the form that upon rotation of said form, the strips are coiled about it in the form of the finished spring. The coil is then fastended to the form and held thereon until the resinous fixative has dried, I whereupon, the spring is removed and is then ready for use. It is also contemplated that the strips may be steam-bent before being applied to the form, and also hot air may be used in accelerating the drying of the fixative for the spring. As a substiof making the wood spring for my upholstery unit, a single thickness of wood may be subjected to the'urea process it may be pliable enough to wind on cylindrical forms. product is on said forms, it may be further hardened to form a new plastic mass, by the application of heat, thereby setting the coils in a predetermined form. I v

The means for mounting each spring l3 to the frames consists of forming the end coils [5 of the spring into a sleeve which is adapted to interiorly receive anenlarged portion iii of a plug IT. The reduced end [8 of said plug is fastened formed in the frame members Ill and I I. It will be noted that the extended, enlarged end of the plug is in an inclined position relative to the frame so that the axis of said plug lies in the same plane as the arch of the coiled fastening end of said spring, the pitch of the arch at is preferably made of dicated, the spring is mounted between the After this As most clearly shown in Fig. 2, a guard flange 20 is fastened to the outer edges of the frame members and overlies the end portion of the springs to a substantial distance beyond their coiled ends. A cotton decking 21 is placed over said springs. As indicated in Fig. 2, said cotton decking is disengaged from said springs at a distance from their mounting means, and overlies flanges 20 at 22. Upholstery material 23 is placed over the entire exterior surface of the chair in a conventional manner.

Means for properly spacing, supporting and coordinating the action of said springs l3 consists of a number of cylindrical anchoring blocks 24 disposed within the coils of the springs I3, the blocks in each spring being disposed in longitudinal alignment for the reception of longitudinally extending webbing cords 25 fastened at their ends to the transverse end members 12 and I20 by staples 26 (Figs. 1 and 2). As illustrated in Fig. 4, the anchoring blocks have an ahgul'arly disposed transverse hole 21 formed therethrough into which the webbing cords are passed to form the block, and being tied thereto to .prevent "slipping. The angular connection of the cords to the blocks creates a torque in the blocks when said springs are depressed thereby setting up a transverse twisting action in the portions of the springs adjacent the blocks.

What is claimed is:

1. In an upholstery structure the combination of two spaced frame members, a helic'ally formed spring having a normal length greater than the rectilinear distance between said frame members, means for mounting each end of the spring in a frame member and comprising an inclined hole formed. in the frame member, a plug secured in said hole and extending into a central opening formed by the end coils of the spring, means for fastening the end coils to the plug whereby said spring in mounted position on the frame members projects beyond the frame in a resiliently arched position.

2. 'In an upholstery structure the combination of two spaced frame members, a helically formed spring having a normal length greater than the rectilinear distance between said frame members, means for mounting each end of the spring in a frame member and comprising an inclined hole formed in the frame member, aplug secured in said hole and having an enlarged end extending from said member at a spring positioning angle, means for fastening the enlarged end of the plug to the interior surface of the end coils of the spring whereby said spring in-mounted position on the frame members projects beyond the frame in a resiliently arched position.

-3. In an upholstery structure the combination of two spaced frame members, a'helicallyforrn'ed spring having a normal length greater "than the rectilinear distance between said frame members, means for mounting each end of the spring in a frame member whereby said spring projects beyond'the frame in a resilientlya-rched position, said mounting means comprising an inclined hole formed in the frame member, a plug secured in said hole and having an end extending from said member, and means for fastening the extended plug end to the interior surface of the end coil of the spring, the axis-of said extended 'end of the plug "lying in the arc of the spring at its coiled fastening end.

a loop 28 encircling half of 4. In an upholstery structure the combination of two spaced frame members, helically formed springs mounted in spaced relationship on the frame members, said springs having a normal length greater than the transverse distance between said frame members, whereby a substantial part of their body portions resiliently project in arched position beyond the frame members, means for mounting the end coils of the springs to the frame members, and longitudinal guard flanges extending from the frame members and overlying a, substantial portion of the springs adjacent their end coils.

5. In an upholstery structure the combination of two spaced frame members, transverse end members for the frame members, helically formed springs mounted in spaced relationship on the frame members, said springs having a normal length greater than the transverse distance between said frame members whereby they project beyond the frame members in resiliently arched positions, means for mounting the end coils of the springs to the frame members, spaced anchors disposed interiorly of each spring, and longitudinal webbing cords fastened to the anchors and the end members.

'6. In an upholstery structure the combination of two spaced frame members, two transverse end members fastened to the frame members, a plurality of coiled springs mounted in spaced relationship between the frame members, said springs having a normal length greater than the transverse distance between said frame members, whereby they project above and beyond the frame members in resiliently arched positions, means for mounting the end coils of the springs to the frame members, spaced anchors disposed interiorly of each spring in a series of parallel rows to the frame members, and means for uniting the anchors and holding them in spaced relationship across the top of the structure.

7.. In an upholstery structure the combination of two spaced frame members, two transverse end members fastened to the frame members, a plurality of helical springs mounted in spaced relationship across the frame members, said springs having a normal length greater than the transverse distance between said frame members, whereby they project above and beyond' the frame members in resiliently arched positions, means for mounting the end coils of the springs to the frame members, spaced anchors disposed interiorly of each spring in a series of parallel rows to the frame members, and webbing cords connecting the anchors in each row, said cords being angularly disposed between adjacent anchors.

'8. In an upholstery structure the combination of .two spaced frame members, a helically for-med wood spring having a normal 'leng'th greater than the rectilinear distance between said frame members, means 'for'm'ounting each end of the spring in a frame member and comprising an inclined hole formed in the frame member, a wood plug secured in said hole and extending into .a central opening formed by the end coils 'of .the spring, a resinous fixative for fastening the end 'coilsto the'plug whereby said springinmounted position on'the frame members projects beyond the frame in a resiliently arched position.

HARRY A. BACKUS. 

